Magong Jin Gui Tou Fort (Under Renovation, Not Open to Public) Introduction
Located on the extreme west of the Magong Peninsula on the western side of Penghu Island, southwest of the south gate of Magong City, and on Turtle Head Mountain southwest of Magong Bay, it faces Dong and Xiang of the old snake head of Dashanyu, guarding the entrance of Magong Harbor. Since ancient times, the western typhoon station of Magong Bay (Xikangkou Fort) has been established as the right arm of Magong, confronting the smoke tower and fort of Fengguiwei as the left guard. The dome-shaped barrack is the main architectural style of the Jin Gui Tou Fort, which is also a significant feature of the forts in the Penghu area. The barracks are constructed with thick walls made of rectangular stones, with a height of 110-115 cm as the foundation of the walls on both sides, topped with an arch-shaped dome made of red bricks. The thickness of the brick arch is generally around four layers, though it is invisible from the intact site. To protect the brick surface from water infiltration, a layer of mixed earth is applied on top, forming a rounded convex roof. The surface of the mixed earth is further coated with asphalt for exterior protection. Due to years of use, the surface inevitably experiences cracking due to looseness, requiring another layer of asphalt waterproofing, followed by a layer of cement mortar for the outermost protection. If structural secrecy is needed, a thick oil-based paint (deep green on the outer layer) is applied, which has become the standard practice for this fort. The outer walls, doorways, and window edges are commonly painted in dark green, while the inner walls are painted white to create a brighter feeling in the enclosed space. Currently, due to usage, each barrack has been divided into spaces of varying sizes. The longest barrack on the southeast side (Building U) is used as the company leader's room, arms room, officers' room, instructor's room, and large dormitory. The shortest barrack on the northwest side (Building Y) serves as a rest room, sergeant's dormitory, and loading platform. The barrack facing the sea (Building V) is used as the deputy company leader's room, squad leader's room, material storage, administration room, and paint storage. Since the interior of these spaces remains relatively well-preserved, but wooden doors and windows have largely changed their original appearance, with added screening, and the walls have scattered electric wiring and lighting that should be organized or restored to their original state. The most severe issue currently concerns the roof, which has significant surface cracking, and the protective layer is gradually slipping off. Care must be taken to excavate it and properly repair the waterproofing layer, while its scattered piping should also be improved along with the repairs. Additionally, the top of the roof has exhaust vents, which are either equipped with rudimentary iron covers or constructed from hollow bricks; when handling the roof, these should be replaced with copper to prevent rust. If the environment permits, it is advisable to research the original divisions of the interior and draft diagrams to prevent the potential loss of relics during future modifications.
